West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-01-21

city. The Southern brigadier-gen-
erals gathered there during their
recent sojourn in this city. There
is no writing for admission as in the
other clubs; there is not such high
initiation fees and dues; any re-
spectacle gentleman can obtain adj
mission by paying the initiation and
dues. The list of subscribers con
tains the names of ex-Presidents,
Governors and Generals, and it is
really more of an exchange than a
club. 1t is nevertheless drawing
from all the other clubs. for the rea-
sons given. The impression that
the Carleton is gambling club is
erroneous. Card playing is as pop
ular there as at other clubs, but no
regularly organized games are play
ed. 1t is true that in most of the
clubs poker playing and heavy bet
ting is prohibited by the bylaws,
while here the party hiring the room
decide their own game. Evidently
there is very little card playing done
at the Carleton. The card players
in the clubs when they want TO play
poker or for heavy stakes generally
hire a room in some hotel or cafe
and play with closed doors. 1t is
we'll known that often all the private
rooms at Delmonicos are occupied
by card parties, and stories of heavy
games are often told. Considerable
betting on billiards and elections
goes on in all of the clubs, but moth
ing to the extent popularity supposed
by the suspicious outsiders. A club
after ali is little community by
itself, and the players soon flock to-
gether as in the outside world and
generally keep to themselves.
In defiance of all the fun that has
been poked at them since the famous
Loubat- Turnbull affair, certain mid
dle-aged members of the Union Club
will persist in occupying the parlor
windows on Fifth avenue, and no
allusion to the club would be com
plete that does not mention this
fact. To sit with his hat on by this
window is considered his bounden
duty at least once during the day
by every one of the habitues. The
club is the most important in the
city in that all its scandals somehow
get into print. 1t is just now free
from any new scandal, but there is
no knowing what one day may bring
forth. The list of applications for
membership includes the names Of
several sons of members who know
it will be years before they can get
in. There was some talk a year or
TWO ago of founding a Junior Union
Club to accommodate a number of
men who would like to but cannot get
into the old club in consequence Of
the limited membership. Mr.. Leon
ard Jerome was the parent Of the
project, and it would probably have
succeeded if he could have prevailed
on the Lotos Club to move into his
edifice now occupied by the Univer-
sity Club, and yield to him the lease
of its own house over the way.
The only clubs that give enter
sainments and receptions are the
Union League, the Lotos, and the
Lambs Club. Sometimes the Man
haitian Club disturbs its dignity
and reptse by giving reception to
successful Democratic candidates.
The Racquette gives reception, or
rather its genial President, Mr.. Will
liam Il. Travers, does, to the ladies,
but none has been spoken OF for this
season. In passing, it may be stated
that Mr.. Travers, who is an active
member of the Union, Racquette,
Athletic and various other clubs,
has recovered from his recent seri-
Gus irdisposition and is again on
deck telling his humorous stories.
The Union Club is his private resort,
though he is President of the Rae
quette and the Athletic Club.